Recipe(tried): Date Bar Mix (like Betty Crocker)

To all of you who are disappointed that Betty Crocker discontinued their date bar mix. Two options, I've tried both:

1 - buy the Eagle brand Magic Cookie Bar mix and instead of putting the coconut and chocolate chips in for the filling, buy a bag of chopped dates and slow cook them in about 3/4 cup of water - start with 1/2 cup and add in the other 1/4 cup as the water boils away - stir the mixture often. NOTE: AVOID the orange juice recommended in other recipes - makes it too tart in my family's opinion.

2 - if you want to save money and avoid buying the Eagle mix, make your own graham cracker crust by buying a box of graham crackers and crush them in a ziploc bag, then add a stick of melted margarine and bit of brown sugar - mix it up then press it down very firm as a lower layer about 1/8-inch thick, then pour on the date filling made per the instructions above, then top loosely with the remaining graham cracker crust.

Bake for about 25 minutes at 350 (325 in a convection oven) and voila, no Betty Crocker needed!